2008 Mirth Chardonnay

A project of Oregon's Owen Roe Winery and offshoot Corvidae winery, Mirth Chardonnay is a rare commodity -- a moderately priced Chardonnay that drinks beautifully. The 2008 vintage, from Washington grapes, is clean and crisp and not over-oaked. Notes of apple and citrus coupled with a bright acidity give this less-than-$20 Chardonnay an appealing freshness and elegance.

It's a great Indian summer basic, easy drinking and perfect with pretty much anything light, from omelets and frittatas to seafood pasta or risotto dishes, seared sea scallops and fried calamari.

-- S. Irene Virbila

Region: Columbia Valley, Oregon

Price: About $11

Style: Crisp and lean

What it goes with: egg dishes, seafood pasta and risotto, scallops and calamari